Shake Hands with the Devil

In 1921 Dublin, Irish-American medical student Kerry O'Shea (Don Murray) is drawn into the conflict between the outlaw Irish Republican Army and the British Black and Tans after saving a wounded friend. His former professor Sean Lenihan (James Cagney), a high-ranking IRA leader known as "the Commandant", recruits him despite being apolitical, leading Kerry to become embroiled in the struggle. Complications arise when Kerry falls for a beautiful English hostage, Jennifer Curtis (Dana Wynter), and the British offer a peace treaty that is not enough to satisfy Lenihan's ambitions.